Fabric take-off mechanism for knitting machines



March 1, 1932. zw 1,847,706

FABRIC TAKE-OFF MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 20, 1931 F --5- FIE-.5-

IN VEN TOR.

Melchior Zuriclyfy BY 9 ATTORNE Patented Mar. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MELCHIOR ZWICKY, OF'BER-KSHIRE HEIGHTS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 TEXTILE MACHINE WOIRIKS, OF WYOMISSING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVAN IA FABRIC TAKE-OFF MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Application filed October 20, 1931. Serial No. 569,912.

This invention relates to knitting machines, and more particularly to the fabric take-off mechanism therefor.

One object of the invention is to provide novel fabric take-off means which automatically stops in case of an accidental sudden release, or press-off of the fabric from the needles.

Another object is to cooperatively connect a centrifugal stop device with the fabric take-ofi means of a knitting machine, adapted to stop the operation of the latter in case its take-off speed exceeds a predetermined point.

Another objectis to directly combine such a device with the weight cord reel-pulley on the fabric take-off shaft of a straight knitting machine.

The invention comprises the fabric take-off means for knitting machines having the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship, as herein disclosed by one illustrative embodiment thereof.

Those parts of'a straight knitting machine which come more particularly into con sideration in connection with this invention areshown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

F ig. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View through a straight or full fashioned knitting machine and shows more particularly my improved fabric take-off means and the mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of certain parts of the fabric take-off means comprising my invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 33 on Fig. 2.

It is well known that in the operation of straight or full fashioned knitting machines improper functioning of certain mechanisms causes a sudden release of the knitted fabrics being produced. For example, due to improper connection between the friction rod and the thread carrier rods, feeding of the yarn to the needles is prevented and the fabric webs in the various sections are simultaneously pressed-off or freed from the needles;

their sudden release causing spinning of the usual weight operated fabric take-off shaft. In consequence, the fabric as well as the parts connecting it with the take-off shaft, are then suddenly flung about the released take-01f shaft and into the machine mechanism with resultantcostly damage and loss of time for repairs.

My.invention is more particularly directed tends the full length of the machine and carries as many independently tensioned take-off rolls 8 as there are fabrics produced. A freely rotatable reel-pulley 9 is also mounted on one end of the shaft 7 operated by a weighted cord 10. The reel-pulley 9 is connected for rotation with the shaft 7, in the usual manner, and by means of a ratchet wheel 11 fixed to the shaft, and a ratchet engaging pawl 12 pivotally mounted on the pulley 9 and provided with a handle 13. Cord 10 passes over a freely revoluble pulley 14 on a frame attached bracket 15 and has weights 16 attached to its end.

The knitted fabric is indicated at 17, 18 represents the needles and 19 the tension bar connected to shaft 7 by a strap 20.

The mechanism so far describedis old and well known and forms no part of my invention except in so far as it is used in combination and cooperation therewith.

It will readily be understood that when the knitted fabric 17 is suddenly released from the needles 18, as above mentioned. the takeoff shaft 7, under action of the weighted cord 10, will suddenly spin or rotate at excessive speed, thereby forcibly flinging the fabric 17, as well as the tension-bar 19 about speed of operation tends to exceed a the take-off shaft 7 and into or against the machine mechanism, with consequent damage to the parts involved. 7

To prevent this, I have provided a centrifugally actuated device which cooperates with the fabric take-ofi means to stop the latter under such conditions and in case its predetermined point. In the present instance, the centrifugal device comprises two fiyweights '21 and 22 pivotally mounted at 23 and 24 respectively on the reel-pulle 9. Springs 25 and 26 are connected with t e flyweights and anchored on the reel-pulley at 27 and 28, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, so as to normally maintain the flyweights 21 and 22 in their lnactive or retracted positions. F-lange members 29 and 31 are integrally formed on the reel-pulley 9 and their coaxially aligned edges 29a, 29b, 31a, 311;, function as limiting stops for the fiyweights when in active or inactive position. A flyweight stop or abutment member 32 is fixed on the take-off shaft supporting bracket 6. The flyweights are thrown outwardly by the centrifugal action set up when the take-off shaft 7 rotates at an excessive speed, and one or the other will engage with one of the edges 32a and 32b of the member 32. Fig. 2, shows fiyweight 22 in engagement with edge 32a to stop further rotation of the take-off shaft 7 while the fiyweight 21 has been withdrawn to inactive position under the influence of its spring 26.

As mentioned, the take-01f shaft 7 extends the full length of the machine and has mounted thereon as many fabric take-off rolls 8 as there are fabrics bein knitted. These rolls are individually 5 ring tensioned to compensate for any slig t variation in the length of the individual fabrics of the various sections, all in accordance with well known practice.

Of course, my improved fabric take-ofi' means can be changed and modified in various Ways without departing from the invention herein set forth and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a knittin machine, the combination with fabric knitting means, and fabric takeoff means; of a device adapted to stop the latter at a predetermined speed of o eration.

2. In a knitting machine, the com ination with fabric knitting means; and fabric takeoff means including a rotary member; of a centrifugal stop device operated by rotation of said member and a apted to stop the fabric take-off means at a predetermined speed of operation.

3. In a knittin machine, the combination with fabric knitting means, and fabric takeoff means including a rotary member; of a centrifugal sto device mounted on said member adapte to stop the latter at a predetermined speed of operation.

4. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with fabric lmitting means, and a fabric take-off shaft; of a centrifugal stop device operated by the action of the latter and adapted to stop the fabric take-off means at a predetermined speed of operation.

5. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with fabric knitting means, a weight operated fabric take-off shaft, and shaft supportin means; of one or more flyweights on sai shaft adapted to contact with said supporting means to stop rotation of said shaft. at a predetermined speed of operation- .7 I

6. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with fabric knitting means, a fabric take-off shaft, shaft supporting means, a-weighted cord, and a reel pulley for said cord on said shaft; of one or more fl weights pivotally mounted on said reel pulley adapted to engage the shaft supporting means to stop the rotation of the shaft at a predetermined speed of operation.

7. Fabric take-off means for straight knitting machines including a fabrlc take-ofl' shaft, shaft supporting means, a reel-pulley on said shaft, and a weighted cord connected to said pulley, a stop member onsaid centrifugal device to stop the shaft when the speed of operation has reached a predetermined point.

8. A reel-pulley for the fabric take-off shaft of straight knitting machines having pivotally mounted thereon one or more fly weights, and resilient means for maintaining said fiyweights in normal or inoperative position.

9. A reel-pulley for the fabric take-01f shaft of a straight knitting machine having pivotally mounted thereon one or more flyweights, resilient means for maintaining the fiyweights in normal or inactive position, and means for limiting the movement of said flyweights.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

MELCHIOR ZWI KY. 

